Lithium Nickel Oxide Electrode Formatting for Uniform Electrochromism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium nickel oxide electrodes prepared by conventional methods, such as sputtering, have unstable structures with both Ni2+ and Ni3+ ions, leading to incomplete oxidation/reduction reactions, limited electrochromic range, and poor adhesion on FTO glass, resulting in incomplete decoloring and electrode material stripping or bubbling during repeated oxidation/reduction cycles.
Innovation Solution
Applying a voltage in all directions along the circumference of the electrode during the formatting process, ensuring uniform electrochemical treatment, and disposing electrodes horizontally in an electrochemical cell to achieve complete oxidation and reduction of nickel ions, thereby stabilizing the lithium nickel oxide layer and enhancing electrochromic properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If lithium nickel oxide layer is deposited by sputtering method, then high light transmittance and excellent electrochromic properties are achieved, but the structure becomes unstable with both Ni2+ and Ni3+ ions existing, leading to incomplete oxidation/reduction reactions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a preliminary formatting process before the electrode is used in the electrochromic device. This formatting process involves applying voltage in all directions along the circumference of the electrode to pre-establish uniform oxidation states (Ni2+ or Ni3+) throughout the lithium nickel oxide layer. This preliminary action ensures that when the electrode is subsequently used for electrochromism, the oxidation/reduction reactions proceed completely and uniformly, resolving the issue of incomplete reactions caused by the unstable mixed oxidation state structure.
2Quantity of substance
If lithium nickel oxide layer thickness is increased to 150 nm or more, then more electrochromic material is available, but the electrode becomes incompletely decolored after repeated oxidation/reduction cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The formatting process is performed as a preliminary step before the electrode is put into service. By applying voltage in all directions along the circumference during this formatting process, the patent ensures that even thick layers (150 nm or more) achieve uniform oxidation states throughout their entire thickness. This preliminary uniformization prevents the incomplete decoloring that would otherwise occur in thick layers during subsequent repeated oxidation/reduction cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies voltage not just at a single point but in all directions along the circumference of the electrode. This multi-directional approach ensures that the formatting effect penetrates uniformly through the entire thickness of the lithium nickel oxide layer, solving the problem of incomplete decoloring in thick layers that would occur with single-point voltage application.
3Illumination intensity
If lithium nickel oxide layer is deposited by sputtering method, then high light transmittance is achieved, but adhesion onto FTO glass surface is poor, causing electrode material stripping or bubbling
Solution Approach 1:
The formatting process is performed as a preliminary step before the electrode is used in the electrochromic device. This formatting process involves applying voltage in all directions along the circumference of the electrode to pre-establish uniform oxidation states throughout the lithium nickel oxide layer. This preliminary action ensures that when the electrode is subsequently used for electrochromism, the oxidation/reduction reactions proceed completely and uniformly, resolving the issue of incomplete reactions caused by the unstable mixed oxidation state structure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method ensures complete oxidation and reduction of nickel ions, achieving a wide electrochromic range, high transparency, and improved durability of lithium nickel oxide electrodes, even for thicker layers, with uniform electrochromism and reduced risk of electrode material loss.
Implementation Method 1
complete oxidation and reduction of nickel ions
Implementation Method 2
complete oxidation and reduction of nickel ions
Implementation Method 3
uniform electrochromism of a lithium nickel oxide layer
Implementation Method 4
applying a voltage in all directions of the electrode during a formatting process
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a method of preparing an electrode, which can lead to uniform electrochromism of a lithium nickel oxide layer by applying a voltage in all directions of the electrode during a formatting process, an electrode prepared by the same, and an electrochromic device including the electrode.